Kevin Gray, Glenorie’s Cattai Ridge Rd burnout driver sentenced
A magistrate has dismissed a youth’s claims that family tragedy drove him to do burnouts on a northwest Sydney street, saying he was showing off so he could brag about it on social media.
Hills Shire
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A magistrate has dismissed Kevin Gray’s claims that family tragedy drove him to do burnouts on a Glenorie road, saying the incident was peer-driven and planned so it could be posted on social media, where it fetched over 30,000 views in two days.
The 20-year-old Minto carpenter was one of two men charged with burnouts in a modified Nissan 200sx sedan about 9am on Saturday July 25 when a group of about eight gathered at Cattai Ridge Rd to film a video.
The now-deleted footage was posted on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok via an online page called the Rarest Rose.
Police facts tendered to the court revealed Gray turned a corner three times when he executed a burnout that stretched for about 100m.
“The accused continues doing this up and down the road and on every occasion the vehicle clears the corner on the incorrect side of the road over double unbroken lines and with a large amount of smoke coming from the driving wheels of the vehicle,’’ the papers said.
“On the last occasion the accused loses control of the car, causing it to spin completely in the wrong direction to the point that he is facing the flow of traffic he was originally driving in.’’
Gray appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty.
His lawyer Rabia Sabbagh told the court Gray, who lives with his aunt, had turned to the reckless behaviour after suffering depression and anxiety, which had impaired his decision making.
“He’s a victim of circumstances,’’ Mr Sabbagh said.
He also told the court heard Gray had undertaken several appointments with a psychologist and had learned a valuable lesson.
But Magistrate Stephen Olischlager doubted Gray’s excuse of turning to reckless driving because of his personal problems.
“I don’t quite follow how there’s a connection between that and offending,’’ he said.
“It seems to be peer driven and bragging.
“In terms of the offences you have to say it’s quite a dangerous offence in terms of how you were driving that day.
“You were showing off, putting it on social media, almost bragging about what you were doing. Incredibly stupid behaviour.’’
Magistrate Olischlager also recommended he get behind the wheel of a smaller car.
“Can I suggest you get a Mazda 121, driving around like normal people do?’’ the court heard.
“You were almost involved in death or injury around young people.
“Burnouts and showing off in this fashion is unacceptable.’’
Gray incurred a $700 fine and is disqualified from driving for 12 months. A conviction was not recorded.
The second man, a 33 year old who is allegedly the owner of the social media page, was charged with doing a burnout as part of the Strike Force Puma investigation and is due to front Parramatta Local Court on September 23.